From an early age, children try to make sense of the world by assigning meaning and applying context to certain situations. However, many children also frequently form misconceptions about a number of concepts, and math is no different. Mathematics is a subject that is plagued by misconceptions and myths that can keep students from performing well and hinder their learning of early math skills.
A survey conducted by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics asked 1,500 students what they think are the biggest misconceptions that people have about math. Approximately 25 percent of the students agreed that math is inapplicable to real life. Another 20 percent said that individuals who excel in math are born with a natural ability. The other results are listed below:
20 percent believed that math is too hard
15 percent determined that not everyone is capable of being good at math
13 percent understood math to be a subject that boys were naturally better at than girls
Debunking these misconceptions could play a large role in furthering a students math education. Every single one of these myths could prohibit a student from fully embracing the subject and possibly discourage them from attempting to pursue a career in STEM. Addressing these misconceptions will allow students to allow math to enrich their lives and open up an entire world of opportunities.
Math is not an easy subject but it does not have to be a hard one. The skills gained while learning math can easily be applied to several aspects of everyday life. Your child needs these skills and at times it is something as simple as perspective that is stopping them from understanding them. Mathnasium is designed to ensure that your students' frame of mind does not cause them to lose the battle before it has even begun.
